Cal students sue over police tactics at protest

[alp227]

Source: SF Chronicle

Two dozen UC Berkeley students and community members filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Tuesday, accusing university police and Alameda County sheriff's deputies of brutalizing them as they tried to set up an Occupy camp on campus.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, said law-enforcement officers, under the direction of UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, needlessly used their batons to jab nonviolent protesters outside Sproul Hall on Nov. 9.

The officers and deputies "conducted a planned, coordinated and violent attack against these peaceful protesters" by using "shocking, unconscionable and excessive force," states the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.

The clash with police happened at UC Berkeley's Sproul Plaza, where protesters had tried to set up tents as part of an Occupy encampment. Videos of the confrontation led to several investigations and an apology from Birgeneau, who is named as a defendant in the suit along with several top university officials, campus police Chief Mitch Celaya, Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/29/BAFV1M5UEO.DTL

[LeighAnn]

1. Protesters file suit against UC Berkeley for alleged police brutality

Source: 89.3 KPCC

Two dozen protesters are suing UC Berkeley for alleged police brutality during a crackdown on protesters who tried to set up an Occupy camp on campus.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court by 24 students and community members who say they were jabbed, clubbed and had their hair pulled by baton-wielding police on Nov. 9.

Occupy protesters clashed with the officers when the demonstrators pitched tents next to Berkeley's Sproul Plaza.

Widely circulated online videos of the confrontation led to community outrage, an apology from the chancellor and the launch of multiple investigations.



Read more: http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/11/29/30111/protesters-file-suit-against-uc-berkeley-alleged-p/

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Only one more paragraph at the link

[freshwest]

2. I love the weasel word, 'alleged.' I'm sure the court papers said assault or abuse of authority.

Sue them off the face of the Earth.

[musiclawyer]

3. Violation of civil rights. = attorneys fees

These cases will settle for large sums. UC does not want a jury. What the cases go is assure thar culpable cops get fired. But because of privacy laws we will not know exactly when unless the press stays on it like glue

[orbitalman]

4. I hope they are completely successful !!!!!!!

[SoapBox]

5. Bravo.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Attention UCDavis students: go for it!!!!!